your food business deserves to have an elevated brand with flavor. I bring alignment, simplicity and confidence to food entrepreneurs through tasteful brand design. 

At The Creative Zest,

ABOUT THE STUDIO

I lead projects with warmth, creativity, simplicity and over a decade of design experience. My diverse art and culinary background allows me the flexibility to think outside the box and provide a fresh perspective. I want to help give your brand the tasteful upgrade it deserves. Let's collaborate!

My studio creates a culture of warmth & positivity.

I'm a brand and web design studio in the mountains of northern Utah. My expertise lies in brand design for humble food creatives dedicated to their culinary vision, whether they’re
food entrepreneurs, food bloggers, food photographers, nutritionists, restaurant entrepreneurs, bakeries, cafés, food brands, food stylists, dietitians, or personal chefs. 

My best work comes alive with those who are not afraid of color, embrace simple yet sophisticated approaches, and are ready for a tasteful upgrade to their new brand identity.

Why are lemons in my branding?

By including lemons as part of The Creative Zest, my design studio adds some flavor to your food business' branding. 

With experience in food content creation, culinary world and brand design, my unique skillset can help provide services you will need to help elevate your brand. Work with me, and let’s amplify your brand.

About the Studio

I'm the founder and creative director of
The Creative Zest, a
brand studio catering
to food entrepreneurs by crafting tasteful and satisfying brands. 

Meet Ashlee

ABOUT FOUNDER + Creative Director

From the beginning

With over a decade of experience in marketing and design, four years of food content creation, and a year of culinary training, my unique background combines expertise lends extensive knowledge to brand development — and from a powerful combination that allows me to create simple yet sophisticated designs for all my clients' branding needs.

My interest in art began as a child. I loved all the Disney movies and even wanted to be a Disney animator when I grew up. I was an avid Crayola collector and created my own paper projects.

I attended Utah State University where I got my degree in Graphic Design and fell in love with brand design.

My love for art went digital in high school. I discovered the world of commercial art along with a new interest in cooking and food; I made food and beverage the theme of my senior art portfolio.

Early years

2006

2002

NEXT

high school

Childhood

College

My creative Journey

I stepped back into higher education full-time at Utah State University. I was hired as a brand designer. Later, was promoted to art director. I'm managing a team of graphic designers and learning more about marketing, advertising, design and branding.

I started a food blog called Hello Yum Creative developing recipes and improving my food photography skills.

I enrolled in online culinary school through Rouxbe based in Vancouver, B.C. I got two certificates in "Professional Cooks Certificate" and the "Plant-Based Professional Certificate".

I worked in the private sector for a software company and then freelanced for a multimedia studio who served several clients in real estate, fitness and multimedia.

2012-present

2021

2006-2011

2018

First job &
Freelancing

started a Food blog

Utah State University 

online Culinary school

NEXT

After discovering how to combine my two passions in life (branding and cooking) into one brand.

In 2024, I rebranded my design studio to realign with my goals and mission to serve the food industry. The Creative Zest is a design studio who crafts tasteful brands for the food entrepreneurs.

In 2022, I rebranded my food blog from Hello Yum Creative to The Design Foodie.

I got inspiration from the Tastemaker Conference
to rebrand AK Design Studio into The Creative Zest in 2023.

2024-present

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rebranded food
blog & design
studio

The creative zest relaunch

2022-2023

At The Creative Zest, my values are simple and to the point. Food businesses deserve to have elevated brands with flavor. I bring alignment, simplicity and confidence to food industry clients through tasteful brand design. 

Create Harmony

Creative Expertise

Simple & Fresh

Design to Inspire

My Brand Values

Get the Ultimate Food Brand Checklist. It's designed to help add value to your brand. There's a mystery bonus lemon recipe too!

Add Extra Flavor to Your Brand

For tips and updates follow me on Instagram and Facebook
 @the.creative.zest

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Let's Add Some Flavor
to Your Brand

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